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--- report:soa [2026/04/30 10:55] – [Healing environments in hospitals] team6
+++ report:soa [2026/05/21 23:32] (current) – [Digital distraction therapy] team6
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 ==== Research ====
-Here we can put a small summery of our research.
+We observed that certain sensory stimuli have a calming effect on the human body and can help reduce stress, anxiety, and the perception of pain. The scents of orange and lavender, in particular, demonstrated a relaxing effect and contributed to an enhanced sense of well-being.
+Additionally, it was observed that calm, familiar sounds as well as nature sounds such as rain, the sound of the ocean, or birdsong create a soothing atmosphere. These auditory stimuli can help alleviate feelings of anxiety and make pain feel subjectively less intense.
+The results suggest that the targeted use of scents and soothing sounds can have a positive impact on both emotional and physical relaxation.
 ==== Introduction ====
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 === Healing environments in hospitals ===
-According to the principles of Evidence-Based Design (EBD) intoruced previously, a "healing environment is defined as a physical space where the interaction between patients, staff, and the environment actively results in positive health outcomes [(Huisman2012)]. Rather than passive background for medical procedures, the physical setting is now more often recognised as both a "tool and healer" that can support the welness process through psychophysiological effects [(Devlin20030)]. To transform sterile, standard clinical waiting rooms into a functioning healing environment, some core environmental and psychological factors must be adressed.
+According to the principles of Evidence-Based Design (EBD) intoruced previously, a "healing environment" is defined as a physical space where the interaction between patients, staff, and the environment actively results in positive health outcomes [(Huisman2012)]. Rather than passive background for medical procedures, the physical setting is now more often recognised as both a "tool and healer" that can support the welness process through psychophysiological effects [(Devlin2003)]. To transform sterile, standard clinical waiting rooms into a functioning healing environment, some core environmental and psychological factors must be adressed.
 **Sensory overload and mitigating surroundings stressors**
-The traditional concept of the healing environments relies on minimizing ambient stressors that causes anxiety. Hospitals and clinics are elementally filled with environmental stressors, including unfamiliar medical equipment, harsh lightning, lack of privacy [(Devlin20030)]. Excessive clinical noise from paging systems, alarms and voices are also source of distress [(Devlin20030)]. In some clinical units, equipment noise levels can reach up to 90 dB(A), which is equivalent to the threshold where hearing loss can begin [(Devlin20030)]. These uncontrolled acoustic environments disrupt rest, increase blood pressure, and heighten feelings of helplessness [(Devlin20030)].
+The traditional concept of the healing environments relies on minimizing ambient stressors that causes anxiety. Hospitals and clinics are elementally filled with environmental stressors, including unfamiliar medical equipment, harsh lightning, lack of privacy [(Devlin2003)]. Excessive clinical noise from paging systems, alarms and voices are also source of distress [(Devlin2003)]. In some clinical units, equipment noise levels can reach up to 90 dB(A), which is equivalent to the threshold where hearing loss can begin [(Devlin2003)]. These uncontrolled acoustic environments disrupt rest, increase blood pressure, and heighten feelings of helplessness [(Devlin2003)].
-To effectively stop this sensory overload, spaces must be designed with acoustic comfort in mind. Providing sound-absorbing materials, such as specialized acoustic panels or ceiling tiles significantly reduces noise propagation and lowers the stress for bith patients and staff [(Devlin20030)], [(Sara2017)].
+To effectively stop this sensory overload, spaces must be designed with acoustic comfort in mind. Providing sound-absorbing materials, such as specialized acoustic panels or ceiling tiles significantly reduces noise propagation and lowers the stress for bith patients and staff [(Devlin2003)], [(Hamed2017)].
 **Privacy and control**
-Another psychological contributor to hospital-induced anxiety is the patient's loss of control over their unfamiliar surroundings.  When patients feel they have lost control over every sesnory input or task, it triggers cognitive, affective and physiological consequences that can strongly interfere with treatment and recovery [(Devlin20030)].
+Another psychological contributor to hospital-induced anxiety is the patient's loss of control over their unfamiliar surroundings.  When patients feel they have lost control over every sesnory input or task, it triggers cognitive, affective and physiological consequences that can strongly interfere with treatment and recovery [(Devlin2003)].
-Providing patients with the ability to take control over their immediate environment - such as adjusting lighting, temperature or sound - restores their autonomy and act as a powerful buffer against stress [(Huisman20120)], [(Devlin20030)]. Additionaly, traditional waiting areas usually lack adequate privacy; for instance , overhearing clinica conversations at a reception desk is a frequently cited stressor [(Huisman201200)]. Providing a semi-enclosed, private sanctuary shields the patients from the unpredictable nature of a shared waiting room, restoring a sense of security  [(Huisman201200)].
+Providing patients with the ability to take control over their immediate environment - such as adjusting lighting, temperature or sound - restores their autonomy and act as a powerful buffer against stress [(Huisman2012)], [(Devlin2003)]. Additionaly, traditional waiting areas usually lack adequate privacy; for instance , overhearing clinica conversations at a reception desk is a frequently cited stressor [(Huisman2012)]. Providing a semi-enclosed, private sanctuary shields the patients from the unpredictable nature of a shared waiting room, restoring a sense of security  [(Huisman2012)].
 **Multisensory experience: Scent, Visuals, Light**
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 An advanced healing environment utilizes multisensory, non-pharmacological interventions to regulate patient emotions, such as:
   * Color and Light interaction:
-The color and type of light around us have a big impact on how we feel [(Devlin20030)]. Research shows that light that changes or moves creates much stronger emotional feelings than light that stays the same [(Wang2025)]. Scientists have found that using green or blue-green light along with slow, guided breathing - specifically one breath every 5 seconds - helps the body relax [(Wang2025)]. This effectively increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and quickly lowers feelings of stress or tension waiting in a room [(Wang2025)]. Additionally, looking at nature or pictures of landscapes is a great distraction that easily keeps people's attention and helps them feel more peaceful [(Huisman2012)].
+The color and type of light around us have a big impact on how we feel [(Devlin2003)]. Research shows that light that changes or moves creates much stronger emotional feelings than light that stays the same [(Wang2025)]. Scientists have found that using green or blue-green light along with slow, guided breathing - specifically one breath every 5 seconds - helps the body relax [(Wang2025)]. This effectively increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and quickly lowers feelings of stress or tension waiting in a room [(Wang2025)]. Additionally, looking at nature or pictures of landscapes is a great distraction that easily keeps people's attention and helps them feel more peaceful [(Huisman2012)].
   * Scent stimulation
-Our sense of smell is connected directly to the parts of the brain that handle emotions, so certain scents can quickly change how we feel. Studies show that smelling specific scents, especially orange and lavender oils, works like a natural way to relax the body [(Lehrner20050)]. When these smells are used in dental waiting rooms, they greatly lower anxiety and help patients feel much calmer and happier while they wait for their treatment [(Lehrner2005)].
+Our sense of smell is connected directly to the parts of the brain that handle emotions, so certain scents can quickly change how we feel. Studies show that smelling specific scents, especially orange and lavender oils, works like a natural way to relax the body [(Lehrner2005)]. When these smells are used in dental waiting rooms, they greatly lower anxiety and help patients feel much calmer and happier while they wait for their treatment [(Lehrner2005)].
+In summary, an effective healing environment must address these diverse sensory needs simultaneously. By integrating acoustic control, lighting, calming scents, and architectural privacy, a space can actively counteract the depersonalization and fear often felt in hospitals, calming the patient before they ever reach the doctor's room.
 === Digital distraction therapy ===
 Digital distraction therapy is increasingly used in healthcare to help patients cope with stress, anxiety, and pain. The idea behind distraction therapy is to shift the patient’s attention away from medical procedures or discomfort [(Hiwat2021)].
 Examples include:
-  * Virtual Reality (VR) headsets which have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and pain perception in pediatric patients during medical procedures [(Robin2019)], [(Yun2015)].
+  * Virtual Reality (VR) headsets which have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and pain perception in pediatric patients during medical procedures [(Robin2019)], [(Hua2015)].
   * Interactive walls and projection systems have been implemented in hospitals to create engaging environments that distract patients and improve emotional comfort [(Huisman2012)], [(Li2023)].